IT'S time to tackle the third stage of the Worcestershire Way and, for many people, this may be the very finest stretch of the entire walk.

Right from the start there are glorious views, with the Clee Hills prominent to the north-west as you walk through the grounds of Abberley Hall School.

Once Abberley is left behind there is a short, sharp climb up Walsgrove Hill, taking you to 250m, with the Black Mountains, far to the west, coming into view for a while before they disappear again behind the intervening hills.

Walsgrove Hill marks the northern end of a long ridge which runs south almost to Martley, and which provides some of the best walking in Worcestershire.

Although modest in height it allows delightful views over the Teme Valley, north to the Clee Hills and south to the Malverns.

The ridge top is mostly wooded but there are still places on the steep, west-facing slopes where the trees have not yet encroached.

These are a refuge for numerous species of wildflowers.

Expect to see bedstraw, yellow wort, birdsfoot trefoil, thyme, St John's Wort, self-heal and rock rose, among others.

These meadows are not only beautiful, they are also increasingly scarce.

A recent report revealed a catastrophic loss of flower-rich grassland in Worcestershire between 1975 and 2000.

There are some interesting opportunities for birdwatching, with species ranging from the powerful buzzards to tiny brown and white treecreepers.

B directions

The second stage of the Worcestershire Way ended at the bottom of Wynniatts Way, where it meets the A443, so this is where we pick it up again for the third stage. The bus driver will probably be willing to drop you here or at the B4202 turn; if not, you'll need to walk the short way back along the A443 from the bus stop at the village shop.

The walk continues southwards from Wynniatts Way through the grounds of Abberley Hall School to the B4203. Turn left, then first right on a narrow lane. After a short distance the Way leaves the lane on the left and climbs up Walsgrove Hill.

After a brief ridge walk, the Way descends to the lane again and turns left past Hillside Cottages, then left again on the driveway to Woodlands. When the drive bends left keep straight on, passing between conifers to regain the footpath. A steepish climb leads back to the ridge top where you turn right through the hamlet of Birchberrow before the path returns to woodland.

n Descending to the lane again, turn left and walk to a junction. Turn right, and take the second left, after about 400m. The Worcestershire Way then traverses woodland before regaining the ridge near the highest point of Rodge Hill.

Keep heading south over Rodge Hill and then Pudford Hill before descending to a lane at Hillend. Turn right, then left and right again at an easily missed stile. A steep descent takes you to the road near Ham Bridge. Turn right then shortly left to skirt Hambridge Farm before going diagonally left across a field to the River Teme.

Follow the river for a while, taking great care after crossing the first stile, where the path is eroded and vegetation conceals a ditch. The path soon leaves the river - look for a waymarker post below a tall, slender ash tree on a slope. Woodland leads to a track and then to a lane at Kingswood. Soon the Way takes to the fields again and heads towards Berrow Green at the foot of Berrow Hill.

Quite soon after passing the Admiral Rodney at Berrow Green you need to watch for a footpath on the left - there is a signpost but the temptation is to ignore it because the Worcestershire Way logo is only present on the other side of it, invisible from the road.

Once you've located the turning, you'll need to watch for another change of direction a little further on, after which the Way is never in doubt as it traverses fields then swings left down Easinghope Lane until entering a field again on the right.

Follow the left-hand edge of the field until a waymarker directs you away from it. A steep descent leads to Nipple Coppice, and your final ascent of the day follows, bringing you to the top of Ankerdine Hill.

Turn left until waymarkers direct you steeply down to the road. Turn left past the Talbot, cross the Teme footbridge and proceed to the A44, where the bus stop marks the end of this section of the Worcestershire Way.

FACTFILE

Start: 100m south of the A443/B4202 junction at Abberley; GR746670.

Finish: bus stop on A44 opposite the Suckley turn at Knightwick; GR732558.

Length: 8.5 miles/13.5km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150.

Terrain: hilly throughout, but only a few steep slopes, all of brief duration; mostly woodland and pasture; always muddy in Nipple Coppice, whatever the weather.

Stiles: 25.

Buses: 758 to Abberley, Mondays to Saturdays; 419/420/421 from Knightwick, daily; Traveline 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: shop at Abberley, pubs at Berrow Green and Knightwick.

Guidebook: the official guide is available in local bookshops.

DISCLAIMER

This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be correct at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury, however caused.